Electrical circuit status indicator apparatus

ABSTRACT

A new and improved circuit breaker status indicator apparatus to indicate that a circuit breaker from a plurality of circuit breakers has operated, and to identify which one of the circuit breakers has so operated. Push-to-test circuitry to monitor circuit continuity is included.

United States Patent [19] Lynn, Jr.

[ 1] 3,816,27 Jane M, 1974 ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT STATUS INDICATOR APPARATUS[76] Inventor: Charles L. Lynn, Jr., 8225 Travelair Ave., Houston. Tex.77017 [22] Filed: Apr. 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 243,348

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.133,554. April 13. 1971, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. .340/381, 340/376 [51] Int. Cl. 608b, 5/36 [58] Field ofSearch 340/381 R, 253 A, 248 C,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,612,552 12/1926 Travers..340/248C Bakken 340/248 C 2,710,954 6/1955 Hallerberg 340/381 X2,710,956 6/1955 Hallerberg 340/381 X 2,957,072 10/1960 Rigel 340/381 X2,995,737 8/1961 Zimmerman 340/381 X 3,562,733 2/1971 Murphy 340/253 APrimary Examiner-Harold l. Pitts Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Pravel,Wilson & Matthews [57] 1 ABSTRACT A new and improved circuit breakerstatus indicator apparatus to indicate that a circuit breaker from aplurality of circuit breakers has operated, and to identify which one ofthe circuit breakers has so operated. Push-to-test circuitry to monitorcircuit continuity is included.

. l0-Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUM 1 I874 SHEET 8 0F 2 1ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT STATUS INDICATOR APPARATUS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The presentinvention relates to circuit breaker indicators which identify a circuitbreaker which has operated.

' 2. Description of Prior Art In certain electrical circuitapplications, numerous electrical and electronic circuits were used,such as in aircraft and spacecraft, power control for welding, shipbuilding, offshore well control systems and like equipment. The need torapidly and promptly identify the circuit with a malfunction was highlyimportant in order to determine if the circuit was essential to safeequipment operation. When the circuit was essential, correction of themalfunction had to be promptly taken. However, to locate the circuitwith the malfunction, circuit breakers had to be individually scanned todetermine a change in position of an operating lever, which wasundesirable and time-consuming. Further, space and area limitations orthe size'of available dis play surface often prevented placement of eachof the circuit breakers in a position visible to the equipment operator.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Briefly, the present invention provides a new andimproved indicator apparatus for indicating the status of an electricalcircuit wherein acircuit breaker having an open status and a conductivestatus causes an operating means to move between a first controlposition and a second control position in response to the open orconductive status of the circuit breaker.A signal means isinterconnected with the operator means, and moves between a first andsecond operating position in'response to the operating means. Aconductive means energizes the signal means when the signal means is inthe second position to indicate an open status of the circuit breaker.

A remote monitoring means allows the status of the signal means to beremotely monitored. The remote monitoring means is provided withpush-to-test circuitry for continuity check purposes. The remotemonitoring means may be connected with a plurality of individual signalmeans and indicate the first of said individual signal means to beenergized. Means are provided for disabling the energized individualsignal means, so that energiz'ation of other signal means may besubsequently monitored.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedstatus indicator for electrical circuits, circuit breakers and the like.

'section, of the apparatus of the present invention,

, 2 showing a circuit breaker thereof in an open or tripped status;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view, taken partly in crosssection, of theapparatus of FIG. 1, with the circuitbreaker thereof in a conductive orset status;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a panel for mounting the apparatus of thepresent invention; 4

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 5-7 are schematic electrical circuit diagrams of the. apparatus ofthe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings, the letterA'designates generally the apparatus of the present invention includinga pushpull circuit breaker 11 mounted on a panel 12. An operating leveror re-set arm 13 of the circuit breaker 11 moves between a first controlposition (FIG. 2) and a second control position (FIG. 1) in response tothe status of the circuit breaker 11.

The circuit breaker 11 is otherwise of the conventional type having aset or conductive status under normal operating conditions, and having atripped, or nonconductive open circuit, status when abnormal operat ingconditions occur, such as excessive current flow therethrough, as isknown in the art. Accordingly, the conventional details of the circuitbreaker 11 are not shown in the drawings in order to preserve claritytherein.

When the circuit breaker 11 is in the set status, the operating lever 13is in the first control position (FIG. 2). When the circuit breaker 11is in the tripped status, the operating lever 13 is in the secondcontrol position (FIG. 1).

A signal push button 14, preferably in the form of a transparent orsuitably colored synthetic resin tube having an enlarged head 15, isslidably mounted in a tubular support 16. The push button 14 -is furtherslidably mounted with and projects outwardly from an opening 17a in afront surface 17 of the circuit breaker 11.

A socket 'nut 18 engages a threaded external surface 16a of the tubularsupport 16. The socket nut 18 and the surface 17 of the circuit breakerl1 confine an edge surface 12a of the panel adjacent an opening 20therein. The socket nut 18 and the surface 17 thus mount the circuitbreaker 11 with the panel 12 with the tubular support 16 and push button14 extending outwardly through the opening 20 in the panel 12. The panel12 may be mounted for use extending horizontally (FIGS. 1 and 2), orvertically (FIG. 4), as desired.

The push button 14 is formed in two parts: a base 22 and an outerportion 23. Base 22 has internal threads in an outer end 22a whichreceive a threaded inner end 23a of the outer portion 23 of the pushbutton 14. The outer portion 23 of the push button 14 is thus removedwith respectto the base 22 in order that an electric alarm bulbor othersuitable alarm means 25 may be mounted in the push button 14. The bulb25 of the signal push button 14 indicates the status of the circuitbreaker 11, as will be set forth hereinbelow.

A base wall portion 26 of the push button 14 is provided with aninwardly extending lug 27. The lug 27 interconnects the operating lever13 of the circuit breaker 11 with the signal push button 14 so that pushbutton 14 moves from a first operating position (FIG.

The apparatus A receives operating electrical power from a suitablepower supply P which may be a DC. or A.C. supply source and providessuch power to an electrical load circuit L through the circuit breaker11. In installations having numerous electrical load circuits L, theapparatus A includes a plurality of circuit breakers 11 of likestructure and function to that set forth hereinabove. Such circuitbreakers 11 are mounted with individual openings in the panel 12 (FIG.3), each providing power therethrough to an individual electrical loadcircuit L, and each having an individual signal push button 14 therewithresponsive to the status of the operating lever 13 of the circuitbreaker 11.

A power common bus 32 is electrically connected to the power supply P ata connector screw 33. The power common bus 32 is insulated fromthe panel12 by an insulating strip 35 at similar material to that of theinsulation' 30.-

An inlet conductor 37, including a conductive strip 37a mounted on theinsulation 30 on the surface 17 and in electrical connection with thepower common bus 32, provides electrical current to the circuit breaker11. The electrical current flows from the power common bus 32 and inletconductor 37 through the circuit breaker 11 when such circuit breaker isin the set status.

An outlet conductor 38 is electrically connected to the circuit breaker11 and conducts electrical current therefrom when the circuit breaker 11is in the set status to a conductive strip 38a mounted with the lip 31of the insulation 30. An electrical connection is formed between anindividual outlet bus 39 in electrical contact with the strip 38a and anelectrical conductor 40 at aconnectorscrew 41. The electrical conductor40 furnishes electrical current from the circuit breaker 11 to the loadcircuit L so long as the circuit breaker 11 is in the set status.

An opening is formed in the support 16 in order that the conductivestrip 37a may provide electrical current toa contact 43 therein. Aninsulated covering 45 prevents electrical connection between theconductive strip 37a and the support 16.

An electrically conductive strip 47 mounted with the push button 14 isin electrical connection with the contact 43 when the push button 14 isin either the first operating position (FIG. 2) or the secondoperating'position (FIG. 1). The strip 47 extends into the body of thepush button 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and furnishes electrical current to thealarm lamp 25 therein.

An output conductor 48 is electrically connected to an output terminalof the lamp 25. The output conductor 48 extends through the body of thepush button 14 to a contact 49.

An electrical contact mounted in an insulation covering 51in the'support16 is in electrical connection with the contact 49 when the push button14 is in the first operating position. An electrical conductor 52extends from the contact 50 through the insulated covering 51 along theinsulation 30 to a conductive strip 52a.

An auxiliary bus 53 is in electrical connection with the conductivestrip 52a. The auxiliary bus 53 is insulated from the panel 12 by aninsulating strip 54. The auxiliary bus 53 is electrically connected at aconnector screw 55 to an auxiliary conductor 56. The auxiliary conductor56 electrically connects the auxiliary bus 53 to a first contact 57a ofa monitor lamp 57.

An electrical contact 60 mounted in the insulation covering 51 in thesupport 16 is in electrical connection with the contact 49 when the pushbutton 14 is in the second operating position. An electrical conductor61 extends from the contact 60 through the insulating covering 51 to aconductive strip 62.

An output bus 64 is inelectrical connection with the conductive strip62. The output bus 64 is insulated from the panel 12 by an insulatingstrip 65. The output bus 64 iselectrically connected-at a connectorscrew 66 to an output conductor 68. The output conductor 68 electricallyconnects the output bus 64 to a second input contact 57b of the monitorlamp 57.

It should be noted, as is evident from FIGS. 1-4 that the individualoutlet busses 39, the auxiliary bus53 and the output buss 64 are not inelectrical connection with each other due to the differing thicknessesof the insulation with which such busses are mounted to the panel Anoutput contact 57c of the monitor lamp S7 is electrically connected toan electrical ground to complete the circuit for theelectrical currentfrom the power supply P through the signal push button 14 and throughthe monitor lamp 57.

In the operation of the present invention, the circuit breaker 11permits-electrical current to flow from the power supply P through thepower bus 32, the conductor 37, the circuit breaker 11, the conductor38, the output bus 30, the conductor 40 to the electrical load circuit Lduring normal operating conditions (FIG. 5).

The electrical contact 50 is in contact with the contact 49 with thepush button 14 permitting the flow of electrical current through theauxiliary conductor 55 to the first input contact 57a of the monitorlamp 57. The monitor 57, as has been'previously set forth, is of thepush-to-test type. In the event it becomes desirable to test thecontinuity of the circuit of the apparatus A, the operator merelydepresses the monitor lamp 57 to a position making electrical connectionbetween the input contact 57a and the output contact 570 thereof (FIG.6) and watches for indication of continuity of the circuit as indicatedby illumination of 'the monitor lamp 57. In the event of abnormalcircuit conditions, such as excessive current flow through the circuitbreaker l1,

the circuit breaker 11 will move to the tripped status, moving theoperating lever 13 to the second control position and moving the pushbutton 14 to the second operation position. With the push button 14 inthe secbeing indicated by the apparatus A of the present invention. Theequipment operator may then check the panel 12 to determine which of thealarm lamps is illuminated, indicating the particular circuit in whichthe malfunction is indicated. The equipment operator then may takesuitable corrective action to correct the circuit malfunction if thecircuit malfunction is critical for safe equipment operation.

In the event that the circuit malfunction is not critical and repair isnot necessary, the operator of the equipment may disable the illuminatedalarm means 25 in the following manner: the outer portion 23 of the pushbutton 14 is unthreaded from thebase 22 and the lamp 25 therein .isremoved, preventing electrical current from flowing therethrough anddisabling the monitor lamp 57. In this manner, initial circuitmalfunction in a non-critical circuit in the equipment does not preventsubsequent energization of other alarm lamps 25. Thus, a criticalcircuit failure may be detected after several non-critical equipmentfailures have been previously sensed and the alarm means 25 for suchnon-critical failure have been disabled.

An alternative test circuit 70 (FIG. 7) may be used when monitor lamp 57isnot of the push-to-test type. The monitor lamp 57 in this embodimenthas an input to receive current from conductors 56 and 68 and an output,which are electrically connected between to conductors 56 and 68. Aportion of the conductor 56 between terminals 56a and 56b is removed. Arelay coil 71 is electrically connected through an energizing pushbutton 72 between a power supply 73, which may be the power supply P, ifdesired, and electrical ground.

An electrical conductor 74 connects the power supply 73 to a normallyopen contact 71a of the relay 71. When the relay 71 is not receivingcurrent, the contact 71a is in the position shown in FIG. 7. The contact71a is electrically connected through a conductor 75 to the conductor68.

A second contact 71b of the relay 71 is electrically connected to theterminal 56a conductor 56 with a conductor 76. When the relay 71 is notreceiving current, the contact 71b is in the position shown in FIG. 7.When in such position, the contact 71b permits current from theconductor 56 and terminal 56a to flow therethrough and through aconductor 77 and terminal 56b through the remainder of the conductor 56to the lamp 57. In this position, the lamp 57 receives current when thecircuit breaker 1-1 is set.

When it is desired to test alarm lamp 25 and monitor lamp 57 forcontinuity, the user depresses puch button 72, furnishing current torelay coil 71. Contacts 71a and 71b move from the position shown to anopposite position when relay coil 71 receives current. At this time, anelectrical circuitis established from the power supply 73, conductor 75,contact 71a, conductors 75 and 68 to the lamp 57. If lamp 57 isoperating properly, it is illuminated. A' return circuit exists for thelamp 25 through conductor 56, terminal 56a, conductor 76, contact 71b toelectrical ground. In this manner, the lamp 25 may be tested forcontinuity even though no push-to-test feature is contained in 'suchlamp. If lamp 25 is operating, it is illuminated.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention areillustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size,shape, materials, wiring connections and contacts as well as in thedetails of the illustrated circuitry and construction may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for indicating the status of an electrical circuit,comprising:

a. circuit breaker means having a set status and a tripped status;

b. operator means moving between a first control position and a secondcontrol position in response to the status of said circuit breakermeans;

c. signal means for indicating the status of said circuit breaker means,said signal means moving between a first operating position and a secondoperating position responsive to said operator means;

d. conductive means for energizing said signal means when said signalmeans is in the second operating position; and

e. means for interconnecting said operator means and said signal means,wherein said signal means moves to said second operating position to beenergized by said conductive means responsive to a tripped status ofsaid circuit breaker means.

' 2. The structure of claim 1, further including:

panel means for mounting said circuit breaker means and said signalmeans.

3. The structure of claim 2, further including:

means for insulating said conductive means from said panel means.

4. The structure of claim 2, wherein a power supply energizes anelectrical circuit through said circuit breaker means and furtherincluding:

a. inlet means for conducting current from the power supply to saidcircuit breaker means; and

b. outlet means for conducting current from said circuit breaker meansto the electrical circuit.

5. The structure of claim 4, further including:

means for insulating said inlet means and said outlet means from saidpanel means.

6. The structure of claim 1, further including:

a. monitor means for remotely indicating the status of said signalmeans; and

b. means for connecting said signal means and said monitor means whereinsaid monitor means remotely indicates the status of said signal means.

7. The structure of claim 6, further including:

a. said monitor means comprising means relatively movable for testingthe operability of said signal means; and

b. auxiliary conductor means for energizing said monitor means and saidsignal means.

8. The structure of claim 1, wherein:

a. said circuit breaker means comprises a plurality of circuit breakers,each having an open status and a conductive status, and each having anindividual operator means associated therewith; and

b. said signal means comprises individual signal means for each circuitbreaker of said plurality of circuit breakers, each of said individualsignal means moving between a first operating position and a secondoperating position responsive to said individual operatorv meansassociated with said circuit breaker; and furtherincluding;

c. monitor means for remotely indicating the status of said signalmeans.

9. The structure of claim 8, further including:

means for disabling energized ones of said individual signal means aftersame are energized, wherein energization of subsequent ones of saidindividual signal means are indicated on said monitor means. 10. Anapparatus adapted for mounting on a panel for indicating the status ofan electrical circuit to an electrical load, comprising:

a. circuit breaker means mounted along a front surface thereof with saidpanel and having an opening therein adjacent an opening formed in saidpanel;

b. said circuit breaker means having a set status and a tripped statusin accordance with the current flow to the electrical load;

c. operator means moving between a first control position and a secondcontrol position in response to the status of said circuit breakermeans;

d. signal means for indicating the status of said circuit breaker means,said signal means being mounted with and projecting outwardly'from saidopening in said circuit breaker and from said opening in said panel;

e. said signal means moving between a first operating position and asecond operating position responsive to said operator means;

f. power common bus means for providing power to the apparatus from apower supply;

g. inlet conductor means for electrically connecting said power commonbus means to said circuit breaker means and said signal means;

1. output bus means for electrically connecting said first input contactof said monitor lamp to said output contact of said signal means whensaid signal means is in the first operating position in order that saidsignal means may be tested for continuity when said circuit breakermeans is in set status; and

m. auxiliary bus means for electrically connecting said second inputcontact of said monitor lamp to said output contact of said signal meanswhen said signal means is in the second operating position in order thatsaid remote lamp may indicate that said circuit breaker means is intripped status.

1. An apparatus for indicating the status of an electrical circuit,comprising: a. circuit breaker means having a set status and a trippedstatus; b. operator means moving between a first control position and asecond control position in response to the status of said circuitbreaker means; c. signal means for indicating the status of said circuitbreaker means, said signal means moving between a first operatingposition and a second operating position responsive to said operatormeans; d. conductive means for energizing said signal means when saidsignal means is in the second operating position; and e. means forinterconnecting said operator means and said signal means, wherein saidsignal means moves to said second operating position to be energized bysaid conductive means responsive to a tripped status of said circuitbreaker means.
 2. The structure of claim 1, further including: panelmeans for mounting said circuit breaker means and said signal means. 3.The structure of claim 2, further including: means for insulating saidconductive means from said panel means.
 4. The structure of claim 2,wherein a power supply energizes an electrical circuit through saidcircuit breaker means and further including: a. inlet means forconducting current from the power supply to said circuit breaker means;and b. outlet means for conducting current from said circuit breakermeans to the electrical circuit.
 5. The structure of claim 4, furtherincluding: means for insulating said inlet means and said outlet meansfrom said panel means.
 6. The structure of claim 1, further including:a. monitor means for remotely indicating the status of said signalmeans; and b. means for connecting said signal means and said monitormeans wherein said monitor means remotely indicates the status of saidsignal means.
 7. The structure of claim 6, further including: a. saidmonitor means comprising means relatively movable for testing theoperability of said signal means; and b. auxiliary conductor means forenergizing said monitor means and said signal means.
 8. The structure ofclaim 1, wherein: a. said circuit breaker means comprises a plurality ofcircuit breakers, each having an open status and a conductive status,and each having an individual operator means associateD therewith; andb. said signal means comprises individual signal means for each circuitbreaker of said plurality of circuit breakers, each of said individualsignal means moving between a first operating position and a secondoperating position responsive to said individual operator meansassociated with said circuit breaker; and further including; c. monitormeans for remotely indicating the status of said signal means.
 9. Thestructure of claim 8, further including: means for disabling energizedones of said individual signal means after same are energized, whereinenergization of subsequent ones of said individual signal means areindicated on said monitor means.
 10. An apparatus adapted for mountingon a panel for indicating the status of an electrical circuit to anelectrical load, comprising: a. circuit breaker means mounted along afront surface thereof with said panel and having an opening thereinadjacent an opening formed in said panel; b. said circuit breaker meanshaving a set status and a tripped status in accordance with the currentflow to the electrical load; c. operator means moving between a firstcontrol position and a second control position in response to the statusof said circuit breaker means; d. signal means for indicating the statusof said circuit breaker means, said signal means being mounted with andprojecting outwardly from said opening in said circuit breaker and fromsaid opening in said panel; e. said signal means moving between a firstoperating position and a second operating position responsive to saidoperator means; f. power common bus means for providing power to theapparatus from a power supply; g. inlet conductor means for electricallyconnecting said power common bus means to said circuit breaker means andsaid signal means; h. a conductive strip mounted with said signal meansfor electrically connecting said signal means to said inlet conductormeans in both said first and second operating positions; i. an outputcontact mounted with said signal means permitting flow of current fromsaid conductive strip through said alarm means; j. a monitor lamp forremotely indicating the status of said circuit breaker means; k. saidmonitor lamp having a first input contact for continuity testing and asecond input contact for remotely indicating the status of said alarmmeans; l. output bus means for electrically connecting said first inputcontact of said monitor lamp to said output contact of said signal meanswhen said signal means is in the first operating position in order thatsaid signal means may be tested for continuity when said circuit breakermeans is in set status; and m. auxiliary bus means for electricallyconnecting said second input contact of said monitor lamp to said outputcontact of said signal means when said signal means is in the secondoperating position in order that said remote lamp may indicate that saidcircuit breaker means is in tripped status.